This position serves as a technical surveillance specialist (electronics specialist) in a field division office in the Office of Field Operations (FO), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). As such, incumbent is responsible for coordinating all technical activities relating to law enforcement clandestine technologies and operations in the field division and often throughout the United States.
To qualify for this position at the GS-13 level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) by the closing dated of this announcement. Specialized experience is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume. Specialized experience includes: Demonstrating experience planning, deploying, operating, and supporting technical surveillance equipment in a law enforcement environment; AND Conducting site surveys; installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting electronic surveillance systems; AND Applying audio, video, tracking, and network-based technologies; AND Ensuring compliance with legal authorities governing surveillance activities; AND Ability to support criminal investigations through the use of technical surveillance techniques and to operate in covert or sensitive operational environments. NOTE: Applicants with documented technical surveillance certifications, technical operator training, or experience applying electronic surveillance technologies in a law enforcement environment are highly desirable. The selectee is required to comply with the policy and training requirements outlined in ATF O 3260.2A, Certified Technical Operator Program (CTOP), to maintain operational certification and remain in good standing as a Technical Surveillance Specialist. Position requires moderate to heavy lifting, climbing ladders, antenna and radio towers, and operating aerial lift equipment such as bucket trucks. Work is performed in office, shop, and field environments, often in isolated or outdoor locations under varying climatic conditions. The incumbent may be required to work extended hours, remain on-call, and operate under stressful and time-sensitive conditions. Position requires moderate to heavy lifting, climbing high ladders and antenna towers, reaching locations via an aerial lift (e.g. bucket truck), bending, crouching, etc. These activities occur over prolonged periods of time during the installation, repair, and removal of surveillance systems in field environments. Installation, maintenance, and repair activities often take place outdoors or in isolated areas. May frequently be required to work outdoors under a variety of climatic conditions. Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUO) is a category of premium pay that generally applies when you are responsible for recognizing, without supervision, circumstances that require you to remain on duty to complete specific work assignments on a routine, ongoing basis. AUO pay is a substitute form of payment for irregular, unscheduled overtime work and is paid annually instead of hourly. AUO pay is determined as a percentage, not less than 10% no more than 25% of the rate of your annual adjusted rate of pay and is fixed by law or administrative action for the position. Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.
The major duties of the Technical Surveillance Specialist position include, but are not limited to, the following: Serves as an expert source of technical electronics program knowledge and support for an assigned field division. Designs, acquires, assembles, modifies, tests and prepares technical surveillance equipment for installation. Develops operating guidance and maintenance procedures for field offices throughout the field division and at times throughout FO. Testifies on behalf of the Federal Government in criminal prosecutions. Attends and receives briefings concerning the objectives of specific investigations, available intelligence on identified suspects, and the evidence collection requirements for the activity, all of which must be documented. At briefings, provides options and recommendations pertaining to technical electronics support. Reviews affidavits and court orders prior to conducting technical surveillance activities. Assists AUSAs in the preparation of applications and court orders. Develops written operational plans that document the best technical electronic options for the specific investigations. Repairs systems and equipment to include detecting and diagnosing malfunctions, tearing down equipment, repairing or replacing parts or components, or aligning, calibrating and testing the modified or repaired equipment. Conducts covert installations in a variety of locations, to include high-voltage environments, and directly accompanies, participates and assists authorized personnel in making court-authorized entries onto a suspect's property to install, adjust, repair and/or recover surveillance units for an assigned field division. Accesses elevated or restricted locations to conduct technical surveillance installations, including work in high-voltage or hazardous environments.